The Lagos State House of Assembly has unanimously agreed to convene a public hearing to address the pressing issue of land grabbing within the state.
The planned stakeholders’ meeting will bring together various key entities including the state government, law enforcement, the judiciary, and traditional leaders to tackle the menace.
Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, expressed deep concern over the escalation of land grabbing incidents, describing them as chaotic and often resulting in violence and injustice.
He criticized instances where land speculators manipulate the legal system with the aid of security personnel to unjustly dispossess rightful property owners.
Obasa highlighted the alarming trend of land grabbing in areas like Ikorodu, Epe, and Ojo, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect residents’ property rights.
He called for fair compensation for affected landowners, stressing that land is a vital source of wealth and acquisition by the government should be accompanied by adequate compensation to prevent impoverishment.
The motion, raised under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ by Kazeem Olayinka, received strong support from lawmakers who emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue.
Gbolahan Yishawu proposed the establishment of a dedicated agency to handle land grabbing cases effectively, while others stressed the importance of enforcing existing laws.
In other news, the Lagos State House of Assembly expressed condolences to the Olubadan-in-council following the passing of Oba Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan.
Additionally, the Assembly mourned the loss of Nigerian Army personnel in Delta and observed a minute of silence in their honor.
Speaker Obasa directed the Clerk to send condolence letters to both the Olubadan-in-council and the Nigerian Army.
